ABPN
Diplomates must pass a Continuing Certification (CC) examination once every ten years for each certification they hold to satisfy the Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment and Skills component of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) maintenance of certification requirement.
Primary specialty CC examinations (psychiatry, neurology and child neurology) are offered twice a year. Subspecialty CC examinations are offered once a year except for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which is offered twice a year. American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) diplomates certified in any subspecialty, apart from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, are required to maintain their primary specialty certification.
Review the ABPN Continuing Certification/Recertification Exam Process Flyer for an overview of the CC examination process. Detailed information about CC requirements, policies and procedures can be found in the CC Booklet. Information tailored to you can be found in your ABPN Physician Portal account on the Continuing Certification Requirement Status page.
The Board recognizes that diplomates with disabilities may wish to take examinations and will attempt to make reasonable accommodations for diplomates with verified disabilities. Diplomates with disabilities should review the Policy for Applicants with Disabilities.
See our Exam Schedule for examination dates, application deadlines and dates when applications become available. Applications for CC exams are only available on-line through ABPN Physician Portal. Diplomates are responsible for applying for CC exams at the appropriate time. Please contact the ABPN at questions@abpn.org for more information.
Combined Continuing Certification examinations are available for diplomates who wish to recertify in more than one specialty and/or subspecialty at the same time. Combined CC examinations are offered once a year.
On the ABPN website, view the General Information and Board Policies for additional information. To prepare for the CC examinations, diplomates should keep current with research and developments in their field, review specialty-specific journals and practice guidelines, and attend relevant CME programs.
Examinations are administered at over 200 Pearson VUE Professional Centers throughout the United States and Canada, as well as at many international locations. Diplomates who select the international testing option when applying for an examination will be contacted by the ABPN concerning locations and cost.
Learn what to expect when you arrive at the Pearson VUE test center with this short video.
View the Computer Based Testing at Pearson VUE FAQs for more information. ABPN examination Sample Screens can be found on the ABPN website.
